UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
        WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
	BRYSON CITY DIVISION

	In the Matter of
        ____________________________________________
                                                   |
             WILLIAM C. HAMMEL,                    |
             ALAN J. BELLAMENTE,                   |
             et al.,                               |      AFFIDAVIT OF
                                                   |
                  Plaintiffs                       |  DONALD CARRINGER, M.D.
                                                   |
                   vs.                             |
                                                   |      No. 2:99:CV-44-T
             STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE          |
             INSURANCE CO.,                        |
             STATE FARM INDEMNITY COMPANY,         |
             et al.                                |
                                                   |
                  Defendants                       |
        ___________________________________________|



	AFFIDAVIT OF DONALD CARRINGER, M.D.:


	Donald Carringer, M.D., being duly sworn, declares and deposes:

	1. I am an adult over the age of 18, and am not a party to this
	   action.  I have personal knowledge of all of the following
	   and if called upon to testify upon the truth of thereof
	   I will.

	2. I am a physician duly licensed to practice in the State of
	   North Carolina, and I am Medical Examiner for the County
	   of Graham.

	3. I have been Mr. Hammel's primary care physician from April,
	   1996, and continue to be.

	4. I have seen Mr. Hammel more than 60 times during the
	   the time that I have been his physician, and have had
	   the opportunity during our appointments to speak with him
	   enabling me to make certain observations concerning his
	   person and knowledge.

	5. I am aware that he has a doctoral degree in theoretical
	   physics, is a mathematician, a musician, that he has
	   done research work in molecular biology, and generally
	   has a scholarly mind.

	6. I am also aware of his long term love of the art of
	   medicine, and that his knowledge in that area is more than
	   considerable.  In speaking with him I find that I do not
	   have to simplify anything, and that most often I might
	   as well be speaking with another physician.

	7. Mr. Hammel has the naturally inquistive mind of the scientist,
	   and routinely learns about medications, so that we may discuss,
	   them including their pharmacological actions when they are known.

	8. As a patient, he takes an active role in his own medical
	   treatment, having an understanding of gross anatomy, as
	   well as neurology and deeper biochemical aspects of the
	   human body, most likely stemming from his work in molecular
	   biology.

	9. As a person, despite the pain that he is obviously in, I
	   have always found Mr. Hammel to be kind courteous and
	   respectful of others.  I have no doubt of his personal
	   or scientific integrity.

       10. The internet has clearly become his library for learning
	   since he cannot use a normal library; he has, on ocassion
	   brought to me interesting medical papers always with a concise
	   oral abstract of contents.

       11. In intelligence, he may be one of the smartest and quickest
	   minds that I've had the pleasure of knowing.

       12. Given what he already knows, I would doubt that there is
	   anything that he could not learn or understand quickly.


					______________________________

					     DONALD CARRINGER, M.D.
                                             Robbinsville, NC 28771

	Date:


	DONALD CARRINGER, M.D., personally came before me and stated
	to my satisfaction that this person: (a) was the maker of the
	attached instrument; and (b) executed this instrument as his
	own act.


					______________________________
	                                Notary Public

	                                My Commisiion Expires:
	
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